Boxer dies after being attacked by gang
A CHAMPION Ballina boxer has been beaten to death in Sligo.
Tom Ward (Jnr) was murdered when an armed and masked gang hit him with a hatchet in the back of the head metres from his home at Joe McDonnell Drive.
He was left to die as the gang escaped in a Black Ford Focus Van.
The 23-year-old was a member of Ballina Boxing Club.
Joe Hennigan President of Mayo County Board and Connacht Council told the Western People: “It is very sad news. All Tom’s family boxed with the Ballina club.
“He was an award-winning boxer with a few Mayo and Connacht titles and he fought at the National Championships in Dublin. He was a regular member of the club and was boxing up until a year ago.”
It is believed the attack is linked to an on-going feud involving two Traveller families in Sligo.
Mr Ward is reported to have dropped-off his pregnant wife Cliodhna at her home in Cranmore Drive.
Four men in balaclavas dragged the father-of-two from his maroon Transit van.
He tried to defend himself but was overpowered and struck from behind with a hatchet.
Mr Ward was taken to Sligo General Hospital but died from his wounds.
Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry into the third murder in Sligo since 2005 and have commenced interviews with people who were in the vicinity at the time.
The Western People
Jack turns singer for cancer charity
KERRY GAA legend Jack O’Shea proved to be as adept on the stage as on the football pitch when he joined two other sporting greats to win TV’s Charity You’re A Star 2007.
Jack was part of the GAA All Stars trio who won the hearts and admiration of audiences over the two-week television talent contest.
The Caherciveen native, Meath’s Dave Beggy and Dubliner Barney Rock earned rapturous applause when they performed their rendition of You Can Leave Your Hat On.
They also thoroughly enjoyed singing their favourite number of the series YMCA complete with energetic dance moves and colourful costumes.
Through their performances, the group brought their chosen charity the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre under the national spotlight at the Helix in Dublin.
They made it to the final after being lined-up alongside nine other celebrity acts on the RTÉ.
Jack O’Shea has revealed the death of his beloved father John from cancer in 1991 was behind his decision to sing out to raise cash for the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre.
John O’Shea died at only 61 following a battle with throat cancer.
“There isn’t a family in the country that hasn’t been touched by cancer,” said Jack.
“It is a very tough time in anyone’s life but I have lots of happy memories of my dad. I know I have been very lucky with the experiences I’ve had in my life.”
The Kingdom
Business park will boost Roosky
THE VILLAGE of Roosky is set to get a welcome economic boost with a ?40million business park planned for the site of the old Glanbia factory.
The developers behind the multi-million euro project unveiled the plans at a press launch last week.
The proposed development aims to incorporate a mix of large to medium-sized enterprise units, an apartment complex, retail outlets, marina berths and a crèche.
The project will transform the heart of Roosky village and will be a welcome boost to the local economy following the major job losses and devastation caused after a fire at the former Glanbia plant in 2002.
The multi-million euro development on the 37-acre site is set to create over 200 jobs in the next five years.
Speaking at the launch developer Leo Cox said: “My family believe passionately in Roosky and we will leave no stone unturned to bring a sense of prosperity back to the area.
“We will bring Roosky back to its former self.”
Half of the site is surrounded by water and marina berths are also included in the design.
Other features of the development include crèche facilities, landscaped green space and car parking.
Double lung transplant teenager recovering
THE FRESH Carlow air never felt so good as Paul Minchin took a big deep breath, expanded his new lungs and beamed at the prospect of coming home.
The teenager from Bagenalstown has made medical history by becoming Ireland’s first ever double lung transplant offering him a whole new lease of life.
Paul who has cystic fibrosis was discharged from the Mater Hospital in Dublin amid much excitement and media fanfare.
He enjoyed the weekend at his home before returning to the Mater Hospital on Sunday.
“They had a couple of tests to do and then hopefully all going well he will be home for good,” his mother Margaret told The Nationalist.
“They let him home to see how he’d get on and to have a quiet weekend.
“It was great. Everyone was so delighted to see him and to see he’s doing so well.”
Prior to his transplant, Paul had severe difficulty breathing and was on artificial oxygen before the operation.
He was on a three-month waiting list and urgently needed new lungs before he got that all-important call from the Mater telling him they’d found a suitable donor.
The hospital said they hoped to carry out more operations of that kind provided they can get enough organ donations for the 30 people on the waiting list.
The Nationalist
Rally record attempt
A WATERFORD man and his rally companion are attempting to enter the Guinness Book of Records by driving a circuit of Ireland in less than 18 hours.
Along with attempting to break the record the two men will also be raising funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
Robert Power from Waterford and Declan Stafford from Wexford will take-off around Ireland in a rally car on September 22.
Starting from the Quay in Wexford they will drive through Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire, Dundalk, Belfast, onto Derry, Sligo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Dungarvan, Waterford and finally ending back in Wexford.
The total length of the journey is 810 miles and it must be completed in just under 18 hours if they are to break the record which was last set in 2001.
They will travel with three other identical support cars to ensure they are well prepared for any breakdowns. The two rally-mad friends are currently in talks with car dealerships to sponsor their adventure.
Waterford News and Star